NBA

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Cleveland Cavaliers starters Kevin Love and J.R. Smith could miss Friday's game against Miami because of injuries. Love did not take part in the morning shootaround because of lower back spasms. Smith hyperextended his left knee Monday in Toronto and sat out Wednesday's win in New York....

Milwaukee tops Chicago 122-112 despite resting GiannisBy The Associated PressRobin Lopez and Frank Mason III both scored 14 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks over the Chicago Bulls 122-112 in preseason action on Monday night.Milwaukee didn't play most of its major contributors, including last year's league Most Valuable Player...

Cavs' Dwyane Wade sidelined with bruised kneeNEW YORK (AP) Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dwyane Wade has a bruised left knee and won't play Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets.Wade came off the bench and scored 11 points in 19 minutes in Tuesday's win over the Bulls. It was Wade's...

Pistons again without Griffin, Rose and JacksonDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Pistons were again without Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose and Reggie Jackson on Wednesday night against the New York Knicks.Griffin hasn't played this season because of hamstring and knee issues. Jackson, who has had back problems, has only appeared...

AP Basketball WriterNBA fines Cuban $500,000, sends teams memo on proper conductBy TIM REYNOLDSThe NBA fined Dallas owner Mark Cuban $500,000 on Friday for “public criticism and detrimental conduct” regarding officiating. Separately, the league sent a memo to teams reminding them of rules that govern conduct of owners, coaches...

Associated PressReport: Kobe Bryant pilot may have been disoriented in fogBy BRIAN MELLEYLOS ANGELES (AP) The pilot of the helicopter that crashed in thick fog, killing Kobe Bryant and seven other passengers, reported he was climbing when he actually was descending, federal investigators said in documents released Wednesday.Ara...

The Houston Rockets and the Denver Nuggets will both be gunning for a victory on 3/18/2017 at 9:35 PM when they meet in a game matchup. Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets When: 9:30 PM  ET, Saturday, March 18, 2017 Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado ROT TEAM PS OU ML 513 Houston Rockets 2.5 (-110) 239.5 (-110) -140 120 514 Denver Nuggets TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston),...

The Latest: Aron Baynes staying with Celtics on 2-year dealBy The Associated PressThe Latest on the start of NBA free agency (all times EDT):9:50 a.m.Aron Baynes, who started virtually every game last season with Boston, is staying with the Celtics.A person familiar with the negotiations says Baynes has agreed...

Rascal Flatts to perform anthem before Game 3 of NBA FinalsCLEVELAND (AP) Rascal Flatts will sing the national anthem before Game 3 of the NBA Finals.The platinum-selling country music trio performed the anthem during Cleveland's appearance in the 2015 Finals against Golden State, which lead this year's series...

AP Basketball WriterAP source: Derrick Rose has agreed to sign with MinnesotaBy TIM REYNOLDSA person familiar with the situation says Derrick Rose has agreed to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the remainder of the season.The move will reunite Rose and Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau. The person spoke to...

Kirk Hinrich scored 22 points, Marco Belinelli added 15 points, and the Chicago Bulls pulled away down the stretch to beat the struggling Los Angeles Lakers 95-83 on Monday night. Belinelli came up big in the closing minutes, scoring eight points during an 18-4 run that broke a 75-75 tie...

AP Basketball WriterRaptors' Dwane Casey voted by peers as NBA coach of the yearBy TIM REYNOLDSThe Toronto Raptors' Dwane Casey was the NBA's best coach this season, according to his fellow NBA coaches.Casey was announced Wednesday as the coach-of-the-year selection by the National Basketball Coaches Association. The award, named...